Rolling mill control



c. WHITE 1,838,341

ROLLING MILL GONTRQL Filed Oct. 3. 1929 v 5 Shees-Shee 1 De. 29, IQBL INVENTR Cla/1 W/L BY i WATTORNUEYM 'A BWM NNN 4. ozu :5.2

WWNESSES 531km' I Dec. 2% 931. C, WHlTE; Y 41,838,341

` ROLLING MILL CONTROL K Filed Oct. 3, 1929 5 SheetsfSheet 2 lI flililllllllmmlllllllllllllllIl-a VHillllrmllllilll L mu-mf H I INVENTOR wlTNEssEs @1ark WM@ K' mm MWL.

ATTORNEY 5 Shee'ts-Snee't 3 C. WHl-TE ROLLING MILL CONTROL Filed Oct. A3, 1929 tlllll Dec. 29, 1931.

mvENToR Clar BY AATTORNEY WITN'ESSES C@ Sim Dec. 29, 1931. .y y c. wHl'E 1,838,341

ROLLING MILL CONTROL Filed Oct. 3, 1929 5 Sheets-Shawl 4 mvENToR Clar-Z5 wld/tc ATTORNEY Dec. 29, 1931. C, WHlTE ROLLING MILL CONTROL I Filed Oct. 5, 1929 SSheetS-Sheet 5 0x D v v INVENTOR Clarl Pi/itz BY ATTORNEY :Patented Dec. 29, 1931 -i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLARK WHITE, F ASHLAND, KENTUCKY ROLLING MILL CONTROL Application led October 3, 1929. Serial No. 397,100.

This invention relates to improvements in Fig. 8 is a. side elevation of one of the j j rolling mills, and it consists of the construcbreaker switches used in conjunction with the j tions, comblnations and arrangements herein electro-magnetic clutches.

described and claimed. F 1g. 9 1s a plan view of the breaker switch.

5 An object of the invention is to provide Fig. 10 is an elevation of one of the mag- 55 adjusting mechanism for rolling mills, which netic brakes as viewed on the line -10 of mechanism is electrical in its nature and capa- Fig. 4. ble of control from a single switchboard by Fig. 11 is an elevation of one of the lock-out a single operator to perform a simultaneous switches used in conjunction with both the 10 right or left shiit of one end ofthe supporting magnetic brakes and the directional power 60 rolls to produce a roll alinement, or to either switch later described. simultaneously shift the supporting rolls to- Fig. 12 is a plan view of said directional wards each other or simultaneously away power switch.

`from each other, to produce a sheet thickness Fig. 18 is an elevation of one end of said 15 adjustment. switch. e5

A further object of the invention, and one Fig. 14 is a plan View of one of the relays. in direct agreement with the foregoing state- Flg. 15 is an elevation of one end of the ment, is to make a special provision of mecharelay, the box being shown in section. msm 1n a roll1ng mill for shifting the bottom F 1g. 16 1s a front elevation of the inter- 29 working roll in a number of ways in respect rupter switch. 70

to the top working roll so that the strip or Fig. i7 is a side elevation of said switch. sheet thickness can be regulated with pre- Fig. 18 is a diagram of the electrical wiring d cision. involved in the control of the apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to pro- Fig. 19 is a partial sectional and elevational vide a mechanism by the use of which it is View of the uni-directional device illustrated 75 possible to adjust the mill rolls for both sheet in Fig. 4.

thickness and roll alincment. Fig. 20 is a cross-section taken on the line Other objects and advantages will appear 20-20 of Fig. 19.

in the following specification, reference being` This invention is an improvement on the 33 had to the accompanying drawings, in rolling mill disclosed in an application for 80 which z patent liled by Clark White, February 25,

Fig. 1 isa diagram of a typical rolling mill 1928, Serial No. 257 ,081, to which recourse installation. j may be had for such details as the means for F Fig. 2 is a diagram of one form of switchdriving the various rolls as well as an exposi- 3" board for one of the stands of rolls. tion in detail of the causes of the production 55 Fig. 3 is a diagram of a central station of scrap. switchboard showing how the switches of all A typical rolling mill assemblage is illusof the stands of rolls can be combined so as to trated in Fig. 1 in which the stands of rolls 1, r be under the supervision and control of a 2, 3 and 4 are arranged to reduce a sheet or j single operator. strip of metal 5 to the desired thickness prior 9 Fig. 4 is an end elevation of one of the to winding the sheet upon a mandrel or stands of rolls, particularly illustrating the drum 6. mechanism by which the supporting rolls and Briefiy described, the structure, for ex- F the bottom working roll are adjusted. ample, of: the stand 1, is as follows: The roll 4J Fig. 5 is a detail Vertical section taken on housing comprises a base 7 which has an up- 95 the line .5*5 of Fig. 4. right 8 at each end, the base and upri hts F ig. 6 is a vertical section of the dual providing the supports for bearing bloc s 9 electro-magnetic clutch hereinafter described. and 10 by which bottom and top supporting Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the companion rolls 11 and 1Q are respectively carried. The single electro-i'nagnetic clutch. drawings show only the near upright and one 100 set of adjusting mechanism for the near ends of the bottom supporting rolls, but it is to be understood that the structure, including the set of adjusting mechanism, is duplicated at the unseen end of the base.

Situated between the bottom and top pairs of supporting rolls are working rolls 13 and 14. The work, previousiy identiied as thc sheet 5, passes between these rolls, and it is by the manipulation which the bottom supporting rolls l1 are capable of that the bottom working roll 13 is so set in respect to the top working roil 14 as not only to reduce the work to the desired thickness, but also cause it to traverse a true forward course.

The bearing blocks 10 of the top supporting rolls 12 are ixed upon the upright 8, but the bearing blocks i) of the bottom supporting rolls are movable upon the base 7, these bearing blocks being capable ot' being simultaneously moved to the right or left (Fig. 4), simultaneously toward each other or simultaneously away from each other. It is observed that the bottoni working roll 13 is supported in the trough of the bottom supporting rolls, as is also the top working roll in respect to the top supporting rolls 12, hence, any adjustment of the bottom supporting rolls will atfectthe position of the bottom working roll 13 in relationship to the top working roll 14.

The manner in which the bottom supporting rolls 11 are shifted in the various ways outlined above is as follows: Mill screws 15 and 16, appropriately supported by the upright 8, back or abut the bearing' blocks 9. Each of these screws has a rightdiand thread. The outer end of the screw 15 carries a gear 17 which meshes with a pinion 18 which is slidably mounted upon the component 1f) of a power shaft, the other component 20 of which slidably carries a pinion 21 which meshes with a gear 22 on the outer end of the mill screw 16. The gears 17 and 22 are identical in pitclrdiameter, as are also the pinions 1S and 21, although the gears are larger than the pinions. The slidahle connection of the pinions with the power sli-aft is produced either by squaring portions ol the components 19 and 20 or providing them with some other known expedient for insuring rotation yet permitting the necessary sliding motion of the pinions.

An electric motor 23, designed to run at about G00 R. P. M., has a gear train associated with each end or" its shaft. T he gear train at the left end (Fig. 4) comprises a pinion 24, idler 25, and gear 26. The `.gear train at the right comprises :1 pinion l idlers 28, 29 and a gear 30. It also includes a connected gear and pinion 31 and which latter meshes with and drives a str/culled spacer control gear 33.

The gear 26 is a part of a dual electro magnetic clutch 34, the details of which are shown in Fig. 6, while the gear 30 is u part of a single electro-magnetic clutch 35, the details of which are shown in Fi 7 The left gear train (Fig. 4) operates t ie componente 19 and 2O of the power shaft as onf: when the dual clutch 34 is energized, thus to feed both mill screws to the right and cause a simultaneous shift-ing of the near ends oi the bottom supporting rolls 11 to the right.

A reversal of the motor 23 will cause a reveise shifting of the bottom supporting roils 11 by means of the lett gear train. An operation of the right gear train by the forward rotation of the motor 23 with the clutch 35 energized and the clutch 34 ile-energized, will feed the screw l5 to the ri ht and the screw 16 to the left, causing shi tino' of the siqipoiting rollers 11 toward each other and thc elevation of the bottom working roll 13. A reversal ot the motor 23 will. cause a reverse feeding of the screws 15 and 16 and a simultaneous outward shifting of the near ends of the supporting rolls 11. thus to lower the bottom working roll 13.

That structure of the electro-magnetic clutches is as follows: The hub 3G (Fig. (l) of the clutch 34 contains an electro-magnet 37 in position to attract an armature 38 which is carried by a spring plate The spring plate is mounted upon a collar 4() which is secured to the shaft con'iponent EZ'O by a pin 41 or its equivalent. The nuo 56 is secured to the shaft component 19 by a pin 42. r)The confronting ends of the components 19 and 2O which, it will be understood are separate, moet at a short plug' 43 wh :h merely establishes the continuity of the power shaft and, in a measure, serves as a bearin" at the point between the clutch elements which the hub 36 and collar 40 comprise,

A lining 44 on the peripheral flange 45 of the hub 3U provides both a gripping surface or the arinaure 38 as well as a check to prevent the adhesion ofthe armature to the hub or thc electro-magnet by magnetic attraction. An extension 46 of the hub 36 carries collector rings 47 with which. the terniinuls of the magnet 37 as well as the feed wires of the clectrounuggnet are connected by ineens ot brushes. A circular tiangc 43 on the periphery ot the a @ture 38 servos the sole purpose of actuating :i breaker switch 4S? illustrated in detui. in 8 and 9.

This breaker switch, a duplicate oi which is used in connection with the clot-,h (Fig. 7), serves the purpose ot insuring the energizaticn of only one of the electro-mag netc clutches at one time. 'Friese svitchcs work in conjunction with certain locireout switches-(Fig. l1) of the directional power swichcs in Figs. 12 and 13 to control the circuits ot the motor 23, and to that end act as starter buttons. The switch 49 comprises a pirotcd :arm 50 ha'fiiig a roller 51 bearing against the iiang'c 48 by "irtue of the teuY sion of the springs, which, at their opp0 gtr lifJ

site ends, are connected to the insulated switch base 53 and blades 54, 55. Contacts 56, 57 on the base coact with the blades 54, 55, While angled extensions 58, 59 of said blades coact with contacts 60, 61 also on the base. The blades are in electrical connection but in practice the arm is suitably insulated therefrom.

Reference is now made to the single elcctro-magnetic clutch 35 (Fig. 7 It cornprises hub 6E?, which is loose on the shaft component 20. The hub carries an electrolnagnct 63 capable of attracting an arma ture 64 carried by a spring plate 65 on a collar 66 pinned to the component 20 at 67. The armature has a circular flange 68 for the purpose of actuating the duplicate ot the breaker switch 49, which, for the. purpose of the later description, has contacts 56, 57a, 60a, 61, as well as blades 58, 59a (Fig. 18). A, lining 69 on a peripheral flange 70 of the hub 62 serves the same purpose in respect to the armature 64 as does the lining 44 ir respect to the armature 38. An extensior 7.1 of the hub carries collector rings 7:3. ui which the brushes of the magnet tcrniinal and the feed Wires thereof bear.

I is to be noted in Figs. 6 and 7 that the hubs and collars abut. This iixes the 'relations-hip of the electro-magnets to the arma,-

tures. Since these musthc disengaged when the clutches are ile-energized, it tolli/nrs that the plates 39 and 65 must be resilient in nature. The encrgization ot either magnet 37 or 63 'will attract the corresponding: armature and cause a shitting ot' the associated breaker switch 49 from the position shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8.

The. shaft components 19 and 20 have magnetic brakes 78 and 83. The purpose of the electro-magnetic brakes is to prevent screw drift- Wlicn the mill isin opera-tion, holding the screws immovable unless they are actuated bythe motor 23 in an adjusting operation. These brakes are identical in construction and operation and the follow ing mechanical description of the brake 73 (Fig. 10) will sutlice for both: Each of a pair of brake shoes 74, pivotcdiat 75 to a iXc-d support. has a lining bearing on a drum 76 fixed on thc respectwe shaft component. A, spring 77, connected with the otherwise free ends of the shoes 74, draws,

adjoining one of the shoes 74, limits the motion of each.

Although the electrical parts of the inagnetic brakes are identical, they must be sepa.-

rately identified for the purpose of the description of the circuits in Fig. 18. The brakes 73 and 83 have electro-magnets 84, 85 in position to attract the res ective armatures 81. ilpon attraction of t e armatures, thi` action if to lift the links 79 and by the combined irting and pivotal action upon the levers '8 to roclr the brake shoes 74 in opposite directions against the tension of the prings 77, thus to release the shaft components 1i) and :50.- lavoir-out switches 86 and 87 embodied in the brakes 78 and 83, respectively, have contacts 88, 89 and 90, 91 which are closed when the brakes are deenergized and applied and opened when the brakes are energized and released.

'ihe description ot' one of the lock-out switches is as follows: .fi plate 92 (Fig. 11) has a flange ,l which at once guides a stein 94 and provides an al aliment .tor one end of a sltiring 95. The other end ot the spring hears against a contacter 96 carried lay-the stein. lhis contacter bridges the contar-s S8 and 89 (using,r the lockout switch ot' the brake 7S, for example) when the spring" is tree to act. 'lhc contacts are car an insulating block 97. rJhe upper the stein $4 has en eye at which it piv otally suspended.

Reference has been made to the .spacer control gear The purpose :si gear is to control the period ot' euerfization of one ot' the clutches 34. and or' the motor 23, hence the period of adjustint i bottom supporting,y rolls 11. A cy justmcnt operations is embraced one revolution of the spacer control gear. 'the ratio ot' the gear train between the motor 255 and gear 83 (Fig. 4) is such that the gear 33 will complete one revolution when the mill screws 15 and 1G have moved .(101 ol an inch, which extent ot movement is herein used the example. By a proper design of the gear trains between the motor 23 and the components 19, 20 of the power shaft, the extent of movement ot the screws 15 and 16 may be as small as a0005 of an inch.

An interruptor switch comprising an arm 99 (Figs. 16 and 17) pivotcd at 160 has suitably insulated therefroin a contacter 101 intended to engage contacts 102, 103 in a circuit-closing position during a cycle of operation. it is by incans of the interruptor switch that any one of a bank et four relays 104. 105. IWL 107 is maintained in a circuitclosing position during a cycle of adjustment. lt is also b v means ot the interruptor switch that said relays are rendered inoperative so that the cycle of operation ends precisely when the adjustment has been made.

For the latter purpose, the gear 33 actuatcs CII lil() against the disk 244.

a lug 108 that is engageable with the near end of the arm 99 to rock the. arm on its pivot when the gear has completed one revolution, thus to momentarily move the contacter 101 to a circuit-opening position. Springs 109 keep the arm 99 in a balanced or circuit-closing position at all. times excepting when the arm shifted by the lug.

The gear 33 (Figs. 4, 5 and 19) is necessarily uni-directional in its rotation so that the lug 103 may always function the same in respect to the switch arm 99. This is accomplished by a. uni-directional device 243 comprising a pair ot disks 244, 245 and an inter mediate body 246 to the periphery of which a ratchet 247 is carried. The gear 33, disk 244 and internal gear 248, which is a counterpart of; the gear 33, are either secured to or integral with a shaft 249 upon which the disk 245 and body 246 are loosely journaled to the extent that motion relative to the shaft is possible upon a reversal of the motor 23.

A spring 250, mounted on a reduced extension of the shaft 249, bears against a washer 251 on said extension and against the outer face ot the disk 245, thus pressing the disk 245 and body 246 together and, in turn, A second internal gear 252, which is attached to the disk 245 and is a counterpart ot' gears 33 and 248, meshes with one of a pair of meshing' reversing idlers 253, 254, the other one of which meshes with the gear 248. The idlers are suitably journaled upon the body 246 and with the exception of the meshing engagement with the gears 248 and 252 haveno other connection with the disks 244. 245, excepting a possible sliding compact, as will probably occur in the assemblage of the device.

A dog 255 (Fig. 20) stands in a position to engage the ratchet 247. lt is pivoted at 256 upon a suitable support, and the same support may be used as the mounting for one end of a spring 257, the other end of which is attached to the dog for the purpose of keeping the dog in engagement with the ratchet. Forward rotation ot the motor 23 will cause a bodily forward motion of the uni-directional device 243 away from the dog 255 during which time the gears 253, 254 will be idle. A reversal of the motor will cause the dog to hold the body 246, bringing the reversing idlcrs 253, 254 into play to turn the disk 245 in the direction opposite to that in which the gear 33 will be turning. But the reversing action of the idlers will be to turn the disk 245 in the same direction as originally; in other words, the lug 108 will move forwardly in either direction of the motor.

Each relay of the bank of relays is identical in construction, but since each must be described separately for the purposes of the wiring diagram in Fig. 18 as well as the suminary of the operation, it is necessary to independently designate the various parts as follows: Relay 164 has a movable armature which carries contactors 110, 111, 1.12 which are engageable with contacts 113, 114, 115 when the armature is attracted by an electroma met 116.

t n the same principle, relay 105 has contactors 117, 118, 119 which are engageable with contacts 120, 121, 122 when an electroniaguet 123 is energized. In the relay 106 contactors 124, 125, 126 are engageable with contacts 127, 128, 129 when an electro-magnet 130 is energized, and in relay 107 the energization of electro-magnet 131 attracts an armature which carries contactors 132, 133, 134 which then engage contacts 135, 136, 137.

Briefiy referring to Figs. 14 and 15, which illustrate, for example, the details of relay 104, an armature 138 is pivoted at 139 and held by a spring 140 in a position of disengagement of the armature from the electroniagnct 116 and the contactors 110, 111, 112 from the contacts 113, 114, 115. The relay parts are appropriately mounted in a box 141.

Mention has been made of a directional power switch. This is designated 142 in Figs. 12, 13 and 18. lts purpose is to so conduct current to the motor 23 that the motor will revolve either forwardly or reversely. It comprises rockers 143, 144 which respectively carry contactors 145, 146, 147, 148, 149,

150 tor engagement with sets of contacts 151,

152, 153, 154, 155, 156. Theroeker 143 has an armature 157 and an electro-magnet 158 by which it is operated in one direction. The rocker 144 has an armature 159 and an electro-magnet 160 for the same purpose.

Lock-out switches 161, 162, identical in construction with the showing in Fig. 11, control pairs of contacts 163, 164, 165, 166. These switches are closed when the electromagnets 158, 160 are (le-energized and the directional power switch is open. The energization of either electro-magnet and the consequent rocking of the respective rocker will close a power circuit through the motor 23 and simultaneously open the respective lock-out switch, thus to avoid any possibility of closing a conflicting circuit through the motor.

Upon energization of the electro-magnet 158 the switch components of the rocker 143 control the passage of current for the forward rotation of the motor 23, the continuity of the circuit through the electro-magnet 158 being established by the then closed lock-out switch 162 of the then inactive side ot the power switch 142. The lock-out switch 161 is opened by the rocker 143 when its contactors and contacts are engaged to close that circuit through the motor which causes forward rotation. This opening of' the switch 161 prevents the passage ot current to the electro-magnet 160 of the inactive side of the power switch, in turn preventing rocking of the rocker 144 and the closure of that circuit through the motor which will cause reverse rotatlon.

The electrical circuits embrace the followy ing wiring: Attention is directed to Fig. 18.

i Two main switches 167, 168 are employed.

` These control the assage of current from separate sources, alt ough in practice a single current source may be made to suffice. The current which the main switch 167 controls is supplied to the electro-magnetic clutches 34,

and to the breaker switches 49 thereof, to the lock-out switches of the magnetic brakes, 'to the bank of relays 104, etc., as well as to the electro-magnets of the directional power switch 142. The main switch 168 controls the supply of current to the motor 23 and to the magnetic brakes 73, 83. Positive wires 169, 170 and a common negative wire 1-71 are connected withv the terminals of the switch 167, while positive wires 172, 173 and a common negatlve wire 174 are connected with the terminals of the switch 168. Wire 169 is connected with one contact of the lock-out switch 87, the other contact 91 of this switch being connected by means of a wire 175 with the'contact 88 of the lock-out switch 86. The` other contact 89 of this switch is connected by means of a wire 17 6 with the back contacts 176, 177, 178, 179 of switches 180, 181, 182, 183. These switches have common connection by means of wires 184, 185, 186, 18,7 with the contactors 110, 117, 124, 132, as well as with one terminal of each of the electromagnets 116, 123, 130, 131 of the respective relays 104, etc.

A wire 225 has branches 226, 227, 228, 229V t0 the other terminals of the electro-magnets 116, etc. The common negative wire 171 ]o1ns the wire 225 by having a connection at 189 with its branch 226. An emergency stop button 190 is connected in the common negative return, the wires 171, 189 being connected -with the contacts 192, 191 of this switch. The switch is normally closed, and a depression of it at any time within a period of ad] ust Ving operations will instantly stop the ad] usting mechanism.

Connected with wire 169 at a point 193 is a wire 194 that joins contact 102 of the interrupter switch. The other contact 103 of this switch has a connected wire 194a with which/v branches 195, 196, 197, 198 of contacts 113, 120, 127, of the relays 104, etc., are joined. A wire 199 connects point 193 with contacts l60, 60a of the breaker switches 49. The comy panion contacts 61, 61IL are connected by a wire 200 which has connected thereto a wire 201 vwith branches 202, 203 to one terminal of each of nthe electro-magnets 158, of the power switch 142. The other terminal of the electromagnet 158 is connected by means of a wire 204 with Contact of thelock-out switch 162, while the other terminal of the electro-magnet 160 is connected by means of 6 a wire 205 with the contact 163 of the lock-out switch 161. The remaining contact 166 of the lock-out switch 162 is connected by a wire 206 and branches 207, 208 with contacts 115, 129 of rela s 104, 106. The remaining contact 164 oiy the lock-out switch 161 is con- 'l0 nected by means ofa wire 209and branches 210, 211 with contacts 122 and 137 of relays 105,107.

'lhe positive feed wire 170 connects with one terminal of the electro-magnet 37 of. I5 clutch 34 and by means of a branch 212 with one terminal of electro-magnet 63 of clutch 35. The other terminal of electro-magnet 37 is connected by means of a wire l213 with contact 56, while the remaining terminal of 80 electro-mbagnet 63 is connected by means of a wire 214 with contact 56. Contact 57a has connection by means of a wire 215 and branches 216, 217 with contacts 114 and 121 of relays 104, 105. Contact 57 has connec- 88 tion by means of a wire 218 and branches 219, 220 with contacts 128, 136 of relays 106, 107. Branches 221, 222, 223, 224 make common connection of the wire 225, previously mentioned, with the pairs, 111, 112; 118, 119; V90 125, 126, and 133, 134 of relays 104, etc.

Wires 230, 231, 232 connect contacts 151, 152, 153 of the switch 142 with the terminals of the motor 23. Branches 233, 234, 235 connect the respective wires with the contacts 0B 156, 155, 151 of the switch 142. Other branches 236, 237 connect Wires 230, 232 with `wires 238, 239 which serve as common connectors for the terminals of the electro-magnets 84, 85 of the brakes 73, 83. These elec- `160 tro-magnets are energized simultaneously with the motor 23 during rotation of the latter in either direction, thus to hold the brakes in the released positions. f

The operation 1M is as follows: Bear in mind that the components 19 and 20 of the power shaft are se arate. The confronting ends meet at tlli) plug 43 between the elements of the dual "f 110 y electro-magnetic clutch 34 (Fig.` 6). It is to the respective parts of the power shaft-that the elements 36 and 40 are connected. Respecting the electro-magnetic clutch 35, the e e ment 62 is loosejon the component 20 while'A` 115 A I i lthe element 66 is connected thereto. The

electro-magnets 37, 63 of the clutches 34, 35 are de-energized when the adjusting mechanism is inactive. This is also/true of the electro-magnets' 84, 85 of the brakes 73, 83 A126 the source of current over wire 169, contacts 90, 91 of the lock-out switch 87, wire 175 and contacts 88, 89 of the lock-out switch 86, wire 176, back contact 176 of switch 180, wire 184, electro-magnet 116, wires 226, 189, contacts 191, 192 of stop button 190 and wire 171 to the negative pole of the source of current. The energization of the electro-magnet 116 attracts the armature 138 (Figs. 14 and 15) of relay 104, engaging contactors 110, 111, 112 with contacts 113, 114, 115.

A secondary or holding circuit is closed by the attraction of the armature 138 as follows: Positive current flowing along wire 169 divides at point 193, a portion traversing wire 194, contacts 102, 103 of the interrupter switch, wire 1943, branch 195, contact 113, contactor 110, electro-magnet 116, wires 226, 189, 171 to the negative pole of the source of current. Since the electro-magnet 116 is energized through a second circuit, the operator may release the switch 180, whereupon the remaining adjusting operation will be entirely automatic. When the need for an adjustment arises, the operator has only to close the switch 180, or any other switch in the same series, and instantl remove his linger, whereupon the adjusting operation will proceed of its own accord. The closure of the secondary circuit maintains the energization of the electro-magnet 116 and the Aretention of the armature 138 in the attracted position.

A. third or clutch circuit is closed as follows: Current from the positive pole of the source of current traverses wire 170, electro-magnet 37 of clutch 34, wire 213, contacts 56, 57 and blades 58, 59L1 of the breaker switch 49 of clutch 35, wire 215, branch 216, contact 114, contactor 111, branch 221, wires 226, 189, 171 to the negative pole. The energization ot electro-,magnet 37 attracts armature 38 (Fig. 6), locking the coinponents 19, 20 of the power shaft together. The motion of armature 38 shifts breaker switch 49 of clutch 34, closing the switch at ccntiicts 60, 61 and opening it at contacts 5e, 5

A. fourth or power switch circuit is closed as follows: A portion'of the positive current of wire 169 divides at point 193 and traverses wire 199, contacts 60, 61 and blades 58, 59 of the breaker switch 49, wire 201, branch 202. electro-magnet 158, branch 204, contacts 165, 166 of lock-out switch 162, wire 206, branch 207, contact 115, contacter 112, branch 221 and wires 225, 226, 189, 171 to the negative pole. The energization of electromagnet 158 attracts armature 157, moving the forward rocker 143 to engage its contactors with the complementary contacts.

Fifth and sixth motor and brake release circuits are closed as follows by the active part of power switch 142: Current from the positive pole of the source of current traverses wire 173, contacter 147, contact 153, wire 232, motor 23, wire 230, contact 151, contacter 145, returning to the negative pole by way of wire 174. A division of the current occurs at wire 236, flowing over wire 238 to electro-magnets 84, 85 of brakes 73, 83, returning by way of wires 239, 237 to the source of current. The simultaneous energization of electro-magnets 84, 85 attracts armatures 81, thus releasing brakes 73, 83 from shaft components 19, 20. The power shaft is thus free to be turned by the motor 23 which is regarded as running forwardly. l

Driving ower is applied to gear 26 of clutch 34. ear 30 of clutch35 runs idle because its electro-magnet 63 is fle-energized. Shaft components 19, 20 revolve as a single unit in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 4. The gears of the trains connecting the shaft with the mill screws 15, 16 revolve as indicated, causing movement of the mill screws in one direction and simultaneous shifting of the ends of the supporting rolls 11. to the right.

Spacer control gear 33 begins rotation with the operation of the motor 23. The uni-directional device 243 will operate thus: Gear 33 will turn in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 19. The disks 244, 245 and body 246 are held together by the spring 250 and the device will bodily turn in the same direction (Fig. 20)

and the lug108 in the correspondingly forward direction (Fig. 16). The ratchet 247 will sllp past the do 255. Bear in mind that the secondary or ho ding circuit of relay 104 relies upon the engagement of contactor 101 with contacts 102, 103 of the interrupter switch. As soon as gearl 33. has completed one revolution, which represents a cycle of adjusting operation, lug 108 will en age and momentarily move arm 99 to open t e interrupter switch. This de-energizes electromagnet 116, permitting the return of armature 138 by means of spring 140 (Fig. 15) and the opening of all of the circuits depending upon relay 104 for closure. The return of armature 38 of clutch 34 (Fig. 6) to the original osition permits the return of the associate breaker switch 49 to the original position shown in Fig. 18. The stop button 190 is for the purpose of enabling the operator to stop the adJusting operation at any point in the foregoin cycle. This button is in fposition to contro the return How of current rom any of the bank of relays. Obviously, the opening of switch 190 will have the same effect as the momentary opening of the interrupter switch, the-only difference being that switch 190 is operated manually and is capable of operation at any time within the cycle of adjusting operations.

For shifting both supportin rolls 11 to the lett: Close switch 181. urrent liows from positive wire 169, through lock-out switch 87, wire 175, lock-out switch 86, wire 176'1, back contact 177, switch 181, branch 185, electro-magnet 123, branch 227 wlres 225, 226, 189, switch 190 and wire 171 to the negative pole of the source of current. Energization of electro-magnet 123 actuates relay 105 in the precise manner described in respect to relay 104. The secondary or holding circuit is established through the'interrupter switch at contact 120 andcontactor 117 as beforelflllheftlrii-'df-zltch circuit is estab- VV'lished 'at contact 121 and contactor 118 as before. The saine electro-magnet 37 is ener'- gized and clutch 34 rendered operative to couple shaft components 19 and 20 together. The fourth or power switch circuit is now closed as follows: A portion of the ositive current of wire 169 divided at point 193 traverses wire 199, the contacts and c0ntactors of the now closed breaker switch 49 of clutch 34, wire 201, branch 203, electro-magnet 160, branch 205, contacts 163, 164 of lockout switch 161, wire 209, branch 210, contact 122, contactor 119, branch 222, wires 225, 1,89, 171 to the negative pole of the source of current. It is the closure of the circuit at contact 122 that diverts the current in wire 201 to the reverse component of power switch 142. v

Energization of yelectro-magnet 160 causes turning of. rocker 144 and the engagement of contactors and contacts to close a reverse cir cuit through the motor 23 as follows:

Current flowsfrom positive wire 173 to branch 233 and wire 230 tothe motor, re turning by way of wire 232, branch 235 and common negative wire 174. Current for the -simultaneous energization of electro-magnets 84, ofbrakes 73, 83 is derived as before. Motor 23 is operated in the reverse direction. The Various active gear trains in Fifr. 4 are operated in directions reverse to the showing of the arrow. Gear 33 turns opposite to the arrow in Fig. 19. The tendency is to correspondingly turn the entlre uni-directional device, but the dog 255 holds the body 246, causing the idlers 253, 254 to function. The effect is to again turn the disk 245 forwardly (Fig. 20) and move .the lug 108 (Fig. 16) forwardly in the direction of the arrow. Mill screws 15 and 16 are rotate'din reverse directions causing simultaneous shifting of the ends of supporting rolls 11 to the left. The interrupter switch is momentarily opened after one revolution of the gear 33, thus stopping the adjusting operation.

l For shifting the supporting rolls 11 vin opposite directions or toward each other: The closure of switch 182 causes completion of the primary or starting circuit and the secondary or holding circuit, but this time, clutch 35 is brought into action. Current from the positive wire 170 traverses branch 212, electro-magnet 63 ofclutch 35, wire 214, the con- "l5 tact-s and contactors of breaker switch 49 of thev now inactive clutch 34, wire 218, branch i.

tor 23 will produce opposite rotationswof components 19 andr20and, in turn, rotate mill screws 15 and 16 in opposite directions thus to feed them op ositely and produce opposite shiftings of tiesupporting roll ends. Attraction of armature 64 (Fig. 7) caused a shifting of theassociated breaker switch 49, closing Yaf circuitasefollews :Y 'A division of positiiiurrent-from wire 169 at point 193 traverses wire 199, contacts and contactors of said switch 49cwire-200,YV branches 201, 202, electro-magnet 158, branch 204, contacts 165, 166 of lock-out switch 162, wire 206, branch 208, contact 129, contactor 126, branch 223, and wires 225, 189, 171 to the negative pole of the source of current.

Energization of electro-magnet 158 causes operation of the forward component of power switch 142, directing current through the motor 23 in that direction which will cause it to rotate forwardly. By tracing' the directions of rotation of all of the gear trains shown in Fig. 4, it will be seen that the mill screws 15 and 16 will be fed inwardly and the ends of supporting .rolls 11 moved Brakes 73, 83 are rentoward each other. dered inactive as before, and the cycle of adjusting operations is terminated, by the action of the interrupter switch unless. previously terminated by the opening of switch 190 by the operator. l

For shifting the supporting rolls away. from 'each other: Closure of switch 183 causes energization of electro-magnet 63 of clutch 35 and renders inoperative the brakes 73, 83 as before. The same secondary or f' holding circuit is closed, this time at contact 135 and contactor132 of relay 107. But the engagement of contact 137 by contactor 134 closes a circuit through reverse electromag net 160. Current is directed to the motor 23 in the reverse direction, causing a reverse rotation of the motor as Well as of all of the gear trains in Fig. 4., The mill screws 15 and 16 are thus fed outwardly and the ends of the supporting rolls 11 are separated from f las.

contain two sets of buttons. The set at the left represents the switches 180, etc. The set at the right represents corres onding switches for the remote control. T e various buttons will be arranged on the switchboard in a manner regarded most suitable, the showing in Fig. 2 merely being for the purpose of illustration.

Since each of the stands of rolls in Fig. 1 must have an individual control, and since the controls for both the near and remote ends must be taken into account, the mode of placing all under the supervision of a single operator will be carried out as indicated in Fig. 3. Here the central station switchboard 242 is divided into four panels, each representing one of the stands of rolls. The arrangement of buttons on these panels will be the same as shown in Fig. 2.

The previously described simultaneous shiftings of the supporting' rolls 11 to the right or to the left produce adjustments of the working roll alinement. It is by this means that one end of the bottom working roll 13 is adjusted in either lateral direction in re. spect to the top working roll 14. The simul-i taneous shiftings of the supporting rolls 11 toward or away from each other control the sheet thickness. When the supporting rollers are moved toward each other the trough between the rollers 'is lessened and the bottom working. roll 13 is caused to move in the vertical direction, thus affecting the sheet thickness. When the supporting rolls are moved away from each other, the trough is deepened, permitting the bottom working roll 13 to sink lower, again affecting the sheet thickness. In the first instance, the sheet is rolled thinner, while in the second instance, a thicker sheet isproduced.

Regardless of the direction of the motor 23, the uni-directional device 243 will cause the lug 108 to move in the forward direction (Fig-16 only. Upon completion of a revolution o the spacer control gear 33, the lug 108 will assume a position immediately beside the switch arm 99. Were it not for the provision of the uni-directional device, the reversal of the motor 23 would reverse the direction of movement of the lug 108 and immediately open the interrupter switch thus frustrating the intent of the operator. The reader will understand that in the so-called forward directions of the motor 23 the entire uni-directional device will turn with the gear 33 as one, but upon reversal of the motor there will be a slippage between the then stationarily held body 246 and the disk 245 so that the idlers 253, 254 may function to turn the disk 245 in the forward direction which is contrary to the then reverse rotation of the disk 244.

While the construction and arrangement of the improved rolling mill control is that of a generally preferred form, obviously modifi- Lassen cations and chan es may be made without departing from t e spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

I claim 1. In a rolling mill having a working roll and a pair of supporting rolls; abutment means receiving the separating thrusts of the supporting rolls, adjusting mechanism for feeding the abutment means either simultane.

. and electrical means for selectively energizing one or the other clutch while simultaneously actuating the driving means.

2. In a rolling mill having a. working roll and a pair of supporting rolls; screws receiving the separating t rusts of the supporting rolls, adjusting mechanism for the screws including a two-part power shaft, an electro-magnetic clutch having its separated elements secured to the respective parts of the power shaft, means for driving one of the elements of the clutch, and electrical means for energizing said drive means and the clutch to attract its elements into gripping engagement thus to simultaneously turn the screws in one direction.

3. In a rolling millhavin a Working roll and a pair of supporting rol s; screws receiving the separating thrusts of the supporting rolls, adjusting mechanism for the screws including a two-part power shaft, an electromagnetic clutch having its separated elements secured to the respective parts of the power shaft, means for driving one of the elements of the clutch, electrical means for energizing said drive means and the clutch to attract its elements into gripping engagement thus to simultaneously turn the screws in one direction, and means prescribing a cycle of adjustment operation and automatically de-energizing thev drive means and clutch at the end of said cycle.

4. In a rolling mill having a working roll and a pair of supporting rolls; screws receiving the separating thrusts of the supporting rolls, adjusting mechanism for the screws including a two-part power shaft, an electromagnetic clutch having its separated elements secured to the respective parts of the power shaft, means for driving one of the elements of the clutch, electrical means for energizing said drive means and the clutch to attractits elements into 'gripping engagement thus to simultaneously turn the screws in one direction, means prescribing a cycle of adjustment operation and automatically cle-energizing the drive means and clutch at the end of said cycle, and means for de-energizing said drive means and clutch during the performance of said cycle thus curtailing the adjustment operation.

5. 'In a rolling mill having a working roll and a pair of supporting rolls; abutment means receiving the separating thrusts of the supporting rolls, a power shaft with connections for feeding the abutment meansv in one direction, a motor for'driving the shaft and having an electro-magnetic power switch controlling the ilow of current thereto, an electro-magnetic clutch lfor connecting the motor. with the shaft, and an electrical control comprising a circuit including the clutch, a circuit including the power switch, a relay energizable to complete said circuits, and a holding circuit completed by the relay for maintaining the energization of the relay and thus the closure of said circuits.

6. In a rolling mill having a working roll and a pair of supporting rolls; abutment means receiving the separating thrusts of the supporting rolls, a power shaft with connections for feeding the abutment means in one direction, a motor for driving the shaftand having an electr0-magnetic power switch controlling the flow of current thereto, an electro-magnetic clutch for connecting'the motor with the shaft, an electrical control comprising a circuit including the clutch, a circuit including the power switch, a relay energizable to complete said circuits, a holding circuit completed by the relay for maintaining the energization of the relay and thus the closure of said circuits, and means actuated by the motor after a period of operation for opening the holding circuit.

7 In a rolling mill having a working rolland a pair of supporting rolls; abutment means receiving the separating thrusts of the supporting rolls, a power shaft with connections for feedingthe abutment means in diverse directions. a motor for driving the shaft and having 'an electro-magnetic power switch controlling the flow of current thereto, an electro-magnetic clutch for connecting the motor with the shaft, and an electrical control comprising a circuit including the clutch, a circuit including the power switch, a relay energizable to complete said circuits, and a holding circuit completed by the relay for maintaining the energization of the relay and thus the closure of said circuits.

8. In arollingmillhavingaworkingroll and a pair of supporting rolls; abutment means receiving the separating thrusts of the supporting rolls, a power shaft with connections for feeding the abutment means simultaneously in either one of opposite directions, a motor for driving the shaft, a power switch having separate electro-magnetic means for controlling the flow of forwardly and reversely driving current to the motor, an electro-magnetic cltch for connecting the motor with the shaft, and an electrical control comprising a circuit including the clutch, circuits including the respective electro-magnetic means o? the ower switch, relays individually energizab e to close either circuit of said power switch electro-magnetic means and in each instance the clutch circuit, and a holding circuit completed by either relay for maintaining the energizationof the respective relay and thusthe closure of said circuits.

' 9. A mill control comprising an electromagnetic clutch, a driving motor, a power switch and power circuit for the motor, electro-magnetic means for actuating the switch and controlling the flow ofs current to the motor, and an electrical control comprising separate circuits respectively including the clutch, motor and electro-magnetic means, a relay energizable to complete the clutch circuit, and a breaker switch closed by the action of the clutch to close the circuit of said electro-magnetic means for the closure of the power switch and power circuit.

10. In a rolling. mill having a working roll and a pair of supporting rolls; a set of adjusting mechanism for the ends of the supporting rods, brakes by which each set of adjusting mechanism is held immovable when said mechanism is inoperative, and means for selectively operating either set oi' adjusting mechanism at the same time releasing the complementary brake, thus to eii'ect an adjustment of the released ends of the supporting rolls.

11. n a rolling mill having a working roll and a pair of supporting rolls: a set of adjusting mechanism for the ends of the supporting rolls, mechanically set and electromagnetically rcleasable brakes by which each set of adjusting mechanism is held iinmovable when said mechanism is inoperative, and electrical selecting and actuating means for selectively operating either set of adj ust-- ing mechanism at the same time energizing the complementary brake to release the supporting rolls at one end for adjustment.

l2. In a rolling mill having a working roll and a pair of supporting rolls; sets of screws applied to the ends of the supporting rolls to receive the separating thrusts thereof, operating means for selectively operating either set of screws to effect an adjustment of the supporting rolls at one end, and brakes for holding immovable the inoperative set of screws thus preventing screw drift of said inoperative set.

13. ln a rolling mill having a working roll and a pair of supporting rolls; sets of screws applied to the ends of the supporting rolls to receive .the separating thrusts thereof, independent operating means to turn either set of screws, selective electrical means for actuating either operating means thus to ly set but electro-magnetically releasable brakes for the respective operating means,

one of the brakes holding one set of screws l from drifting While the other brake is ener- 5 gized and released during a period of adjustment of the otherdset of screws.

14;. A rolling mill comprising a Working roll and supporting rolls therefor, actuating means for shifting an end of the supporting rolls either in similar or diverse directions, mechanical means for operating the actuating means, electrical means for controlling said mechanical means, said electrical means including a forwardly and revcrsely rotatable motor, and a device operated uni-directionally during either direction of rotation of the motor to limit the period of activity of the electrical means hence that of the mechanical means.

15. The combination of the supporting rolls of a rolling mill, individual means to receive and limit separating thrusts of the supporting rolls, an operating mechanism common to the assemblage of individual means, possessing instrumentalities for simultaneously causing any one of a variety of adjustments of said means, and a single control for said operating mechanism whence 3 bring about the adjustments.

16. The combination of the supporting rolls of a rolling mill, individual means to receive and limit separating thrusts of the supporting rolls, an operating connection for every one of the individual means, means joining said operating connections in one operating mechanism Which means embodies instrumentalities for causing any one of a variety of adjustments simultaneously in all vof said individual means, and an electrical control'for imparting impulses to said operating mechanism agreeing with the adjustment intended.

17. In a rolling mill having a working roll and a pair of supporting rolls; abutment means receiving the separating thrusts of the supporting rolls, adjusting mechanism for feeding the abutment means either simultaneously in one or the opposite direction or simultaneously in diverse directions, and electrical means for selectively bringing the adjusting mechanism into action for performing the various feeds.

18. A rolling mill comprising a Working roll and a pair of supporting rolls therefor, actuating means for shifting an end of the supporting rolls either in similar or diverse directions, and electrically controlled mejusting mechanism for feeding the abutment chanical means in connection with said acselected corresponding feed.

CLARK WHITE.

said instrumentalities are set in motion to 

